Robert Frasco ’09 Wins Boren Scholarship

Robert Frasco ’09, a Russian area studies major from Suffield, Conn., was a recent recipient of a David L. Boren Scholarship from the National Security Education Program (NSEP).

The NSEP awards Boren Scholarships to American students for study of world regions critical to U.S. interests, including Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin American and the Caribbean, and the Middle East.

“The Boren scholarship is awarded as a means to further cultural understanding and language proficiency of nations not located in Western Europe,” said Frasco. His scholarship will pays for a year-long study abroad in Moscow, Russia. Frasco will be enrolled in an intensive language program and possibly take part in an internship at a Russian organization.

According to Frasco, it was his “deep interest in history, particularly of the early/mid twentieth century, as well as a passion for the topic of international affairs and politics” that sparked his interest in Russian studies. “I enjoy traveling immensely, doubly so for less conventional places,” he said.

“Over two decades of my teaching at W&L, I have met just a handful of students who would match both Robert’s engagement in international affairs and his intellectual curiosity and brilliance,” said Krzysztof Jasiewicz, professor of sociology. “As it happens, all these students after graduation went on to distinguished careers in foreign service or academy. There is no doubt in my mind that Robert will follow in their footsteps.”

Frasco hopes to work in the field of international relations and diplomacy after graduation.